Top 100 All-Time Smartest Players in NBA History

The smartest players in NBA history are comprised from an elite crop of talent.

These guys not only knew how to play the game of basketball in its proper fashion, but they truly displayed their prowess with regularity during their playing days.

These guys are cerebral in their approach and execute with remarkable style.

100. Eric Snow

Typically there isn’t a lot of appreciation expressed for the guys who do the dirty work, but I’ll give Snow a tip of the cap here.

When given the opportunity, Snow really proved to be a team player and did exactly what his team asked of him each time out.

99. Kevin Ollie

In addition to his awesome mustache, Ollie’s ability to survive in the league is a testament to his basketball brilliance.

He was never a standout player by any means, but his leadership and understanding of how plays should develop kept him employed and will likely lead to a coaching gig in the future.

98. Johnny Moore

Moore’s point guard abilities were on full display during his stellar career in the league.

He ran the offense with elite knowledge of the game and his success at the position was reflected in his statistics.

97. Michael Ray Richardson

Richardson could put the ball in the hoop, but his scoring ability was second nature when compared to his other accomplishments.

He was a defensive mastermind and knew how to pick a man’s pocket all while running the offense with brilliant execution.

96. Doug Christie

Christie was a far better professional player than he gets credit for.

An excellent defender and sound overall fundamental player, Christie’s ability to consistently play with few mistakes made him even more valuable than he otherwise would have been.

95. Slater Martin

Martin’s stats certainly weren’t anything of the eye-popping variety, but he knew how to play the game the way that it was meant.

He had a very strong understanding on the court, and it allowed him to achieve success.

94. Damon Stoudamire

Mighty Mouse was awfully strong during the prime of his career.

While he may not have had elite statistics, Stoudamire’s fundamental understanding of how to play the point position was instrumental in a lengthy and successful career.

93. Kevin Porter

Porter was a point guard that really knew how to distribute the ball to his teammates.

He led the league in assists four times in his career, and his 1978-79 season where he averaged 13.4 assists per game remains remarkable.

92. Darrell Armstrong

Armstrong doesn’t get a lot of appreciation for what he did as a baller, but his patient and intelligent approach to the game is what called for him to be successful.

An excellent shooter from the foul line, Armstrong played with the type of effectiveness that almost every coach wishes every guy on their team could.

91. Kirk Hinrich

Hinrich is one of those guys that every player would love to have as a teammate because of his sky-high basketball IQ.

He’s not flashy and won’t do anything extraordinary, but his correct approach and team-first mentality allows him to avoid major mistakes.

90. Fat Lever

Here’s a guy that doesn’t get brought up with any regularity, but his skills should have him more readily talked about.

He had one of the greatest names in the history of the game, and he really knew how to add value to his club.

89. Eddie Jones

Here’s an interesting case of a basketball player that belongs much higher in the history books of the game.

Jones really knew how to contribute in any facet that his team asked of him, and while his peripheral stats certainly don’t jump out at you, his ability to do numerous things and fill a variety of roles while playing outstanding defense are indicators of his ability to adapt without issue.

88. Hersey Hawkins

Here’s an interesting case of a basketball player that belongs much higher in the history books of the game.

Jones really knew how to contribute in any facet that his team asked of him and his ability to do numerous things and fill a variety of roles while playing outstanding defense are indicators of his ability to adapt without issue.

87. Norm Van Lier

Van Lier’s ability to find his teammates in transition was excellent.

His statistics certainly aren’t staggering, but his imprint on the game has clearly been made.

86. Mookie Blaylock

One of my personal favorite players of all time, Blaylock was just fun to watch as he always played the game the right way.

A pest with his ability to steal the rock, Blaylock was a scorer who contributed across the board with regularity.

85. Reggie Theus

Theus’ smarts landed him a gig on the sidelines when his playing career was over, but it was clear during his career that he had an intelligent approach.

It’s not often that a player can do everything with a strong efficiency, and his passing skills were fairly impressive considering he was 6’7”.

84. Alvin Robertson

Robertson is very well known for his defense, as he was one of the peskiest thieves of all time on the court.

His ability to score, rebound and dish an assist while remaining a standout on the opposite end makes him a worthy candidate to be placed on this list.

83. Muggsy Bogues

Muggsy had to have a good head on his shoulders for him to be so successful in a league that’s dominated by guys a whole lot bigger than he is.

Bogues averaged double-digit assists twice, and his ability to contribute on the defensive end as well made his intelligent play even more valuable.

82. Baron Davis

Davis gets a bum rap because of an inflated contract, but his ability to understand the game has been integral over his career.

The Cavs want him to mentor Kyrie Irving, and it’s clear that he’s got plenty of basketball knowledge left to offer even if his best days may be behind him.

81. Mike Bibby

Mike Bibby was actually a very sound player early in his career, and it’s easy to see why he was the former No. 2 overall selection.

Bibby has always been a pesky defender, a solid foul shooter and a sniper from the outside, and his willingness to play any role asked of him is commendable.

80. Dwight Howard

Howard’s play might be of the dominant style, but he wouldn’t be nearly as successful if he didn’t know how to use his skills.

His ability to utilize his brute strength as a competitive advantage over his opponents is clear, and he sees the court surprisingly well for someone who seems to constantly have his back to the basket.

79. Terry Porter

Between 1986-91, Porter ranked among the most elite in the NBA.

While his career really tailed off after his 27^th birthday, there’s no doubting his ability to run the offense and contribute to his team in a big way.

78. Derek Harper

Harper is another name that’s left under-appreciated, but his game was certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Averaging double-digit points, Harper did a little bit of everything during his tenure in the league and really made the backcourt an easier place to play for his teammates with him on the floor.

77. Rod Strickland

When discussing point guards with serious skills, it both flusters and amazes me that Strickland’s name doesn’t come up more often.

An excellent defender, a great passer and legitimate scorer, Strickland really brought a well-rounded attack to the table.

76. Lenny Wilkens

It’s not often that a player improves his vision as his career moves forward, but that’s exactly what happened with Wilkens.

Wilkens averaged at least eight assists per game from 1967-1972 and remained a volume scorer while adding to his repertoire.

75. Dave Bing

Dave Bing isn’t a name that comes up with prominence in many conversations about the NBA, and that’s simply amazing to me.

One of the most well-rounded players in the 1960s and '70s, Bing is absolutely legendary in Detroit.

74. Charles Barkley

Clearly, basketball IQ doesn’t turn any player into a Rhodes Scholar.

Having said that, what Barkley was able to do at 6’6” is simply incredible. He led the league in offensive rebounds three times, routinely dropped 20-plus in every game and only missed averaging double-digit rebounds in his rookie season.

He could even step out and hit the three, all while shooting 54 percent from the floor for his career.

73. Dennis Johnson

Johnson’s statistics may not be eye-popping at first glance, but his contributions are highly valued when you look at the fact he did a plethora of things on the court.

On top of his on-court prowess, Johnson never played fewer than 72 full games in a single season. Impressive.

72. Tracy McGrady

Before chronic knee injuries sapped his explosiveness, T-Mac was one of the most exciting players that the NBA had seen in a long time.

He can play multiple positions with ease, and that type of versatility paired with his efficiency make him a headstrong player.

While McGrady isn’t afraid to gamble, rarely does he make a boneheaded play to really hurt his team.

71. Kevin Johnson

He’s better known now as the mayor of Sacramento and the head of the Kings' movement to stay in town, but he was one of the more prolific point guards of his time.

With three seasons averaging a double-double and multiple campaigns registering 20-plus points, his performance is incredible considering that he was also a defensive pest and a career 49 percent shooter from the field.

70. Andre Iguodala

Iguodala is one of the best point forwards that the league has seen in a while.

His assist-to-turnover ratio is especially impressive, and his willingness to facilitate the flow allows the floor to be opened up for his teammates.

69. Allen Iverson

Mullin’s got an incredible field-goal percentage to pair with a sky-high free-throw percentage, but his efficiency from the floor isn’t what lands him on this list.

His ability to score with ease and have a prolific attack from the perimeter while never playing a me-first style is exactly why he’s here.

68. Chris Mullin

Mullin’s got an incredible field-goal percentage to pair with a sky-high free-throw percentage, but his efficiency from the floor isn’t what lands him on this list.

His ability to score with ease and have a prolific attack from the perimeter while never playing a me-first style is exactly why he’s here.

67. Earl Monroe

The Pearl was one solid scorer, but that’s not what made him special.

Monroe was able to do it with sound efficiency and contributed across the board, always doing whatever he could to help his team win.

66. Maurice Cheeks

Mo Cheeks was truly as smooth as the other side of the pillow.

Although his statistics were not overpowering by any means, his ability to stay within his game and do what was best for his club is the best approach to have when running the offense.

65. Scott Skiles

Skiles is most remembered for his magical 30-assist game with the Orlando Magic, but his basketball intelligence was on display for far more than just a single contest.

The former point guard is an excellent head coach and his ability to understand the game will continue to serve him in well into the future.

64. Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson was a vocal leader in the huddle long before he was a head coach on the sidelines.

Johnson has a firm understanding of the ins and outs of the game necessary that it takes to succeed at the highest level of competition.

63. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol has the ability to contribute in multiple areas of the game.

He excels as a passer, and although he’s received some criticism about being soft, Gasol’s touch around the basket is something that all bigs should aspire to learn.

62. Sam Cassell

You didn’t know that the oddly shaped head that sits atop Cassell’s head was for his massive basketball brain?

There is a reason he’s already carved out a career as a capable assistant coach in the league, and it’s because he really understands the game and what it takes to succeed.

61. Wes Unseld

Unseld not only had the ability to rebound at a high rate, but his scoring touch around the rim provided additional value to his game.

He wasn’t afraid to do the dirty work around the rim and it greatly aided his overall approach.

60. Rajon Rondo

Rondo really developed into a fantastic point guard after his first season in the league, and his electric passing ability is a really fun thing to watch.

He is fearless when he penetrates through the lane, and he finds his teammates on the court regardless of where they’re positioned.

59. Nate McMillan

McMillan might not have had a statistical outpouring like some of the others on this list, but his intelligence really helped him become a solid contributor.

He was always a pest on the defensive end with his ability to steal the ball, but even more impressive was the fact that he played any role that was needed for Seattle.

His understanding of the game is exactly why he he’s been successful on the sidelines as a head coach.

58. Mark Jackson

Jackson was the first player to perfect the running teardrop in the lane, and it’s likely that nobody will ever do it quite as well as he did.

Jax was also a magician with the ball in his hands, and his ability to run the offense was truly captivating to watch.

57. Bob Pettit

Dominance isn’t typically a word that’s heard associated with Pettit, but that’s exactly how to describe his play.

Pettit averaged a double-double every single season that he played and led the league in scoring twice during his tenure.

56. Kevin Durant

The best scorer in the NBA, Durant just seems to be able to get buckets from anywhere on the court.

Pair that with his ability to contribute on the defensive end and the fact that he’s still improving and adjusting with every passing season, and you have the next legitimate superstar of the league in the making.

55. Norm Nixon

There have been some really good point guards in the history of the league, and Nixon is definitely included in that grouping.

Whether he was scoring or distributing, Nixon was always helping his team at both ends of the floor and almost never missed any action.

54. Gail Goodrich

It’s pretty amazing to see all of the great guards that have played the game of basketball.

Goodrich is another candidate that doesn’t garner enough attention, as he really poured in his full effort 110 percent of the time.

53. Dennis Rodman

He might have been one of a kind, but there’s no doubting the Worm’s inclination to contribute.

Rodman’s rebounding numbers are downright ridiculous, and anyone that leads the league in rebounding for seven straight seasons at just 6’7” has to have a knack for how to play the game.

52. John Lucas II

Lucas was an excellent point guard that really knew how to make the offense flow.

A brilliant leader of the offense, Lucas’ ability to understand the game truly made whatever team he was on a better one.

51. Guy Rodgers

Most people reading this will probably have to do a double take when they see Rodgers’ name, but it’s time to get familiar if you’re not already.

A phenomenal distributor and a surprising scorer, his ability to serve in a variety of roles for his club really made his teammates more talented.

50. Dolph Schayes

Schayes wasn’t just a double-double machine, because he was far more automatic than that.

Schayes had one of the smoothest foul shots of all time for a big man, as evidenced by his career 84.9 clip from the charity stripe.

49. Tim Hardaway

Is there a more under-appreciated player than Tim Hardaway?

A legitimate 20-point scorer, an excellent passer and offensive mastermind with the ball in his hands and with a solid stroke from deep, Hardaway played the game the way that it always should be.

48. Paul Pierce

Pierce is nicknamed “The Truth” because that’s exactly what he is on the basketball court.

Pierce can score, rebound, pass and defend at a very high level, and his play has been remarkably consistent and prolific over the course of his career

47. LeBron James

He might not be the best finisher at this point in his career, but there’s no doubting the prowess of James on the court.

His ability to do everything with sensational abilities is really impressive, and his freakish athleticism allows him to really do whatever he wants against the opponent.

46. Kevin McHale

McHale was one of the premier big men in the game’s history, and it’s largely because of his ability to execute regularly.

He had an incredible ability to find the bottom of the net, and his smart approach to shot-taking led to a ton of makes throughout his tenure.

45. Chauncey Billups

The fact that Billups has been able to produce at such a high level while on the down slope of his career is truly a testament to his skills.

He’s got the ability to facilitate almost any offense, and his veteran leadership provides stability in the locker room.

44. Penny Hardaway

Hardaway was on his way toward an insanely special career before injuries deprived him of doing so.

His ability to play to the strengths of his game while keeping the overall attack of the team in mind is what made the Magic a feared opponent when he was at the helm.

43. Andre Miller

Andre Miller doesn’t get the due that he’s earned as one of the best passers in recent memory.

Miller is one of the best alley-oop tossers in the league, and his proclivity to always find his teammates and rack up the assists are characteristics of his game that many don’t think of right off of the bat.

42. Manu Ginobili

When the Spurs drafted Ginobili at No. 57 overall, there weren’t a lot of people that knew what to expect from the third-to-last pick in the draft.

Ginobili always plays the game in the manner that it was meant to be, and his ability to do anything that his team needs has been essential to the success of the San Antonio franchise.

41. Pete Maravich

Pistol Pete brought electricity to a game unlike many of the players that played alongside him.

With an uncanny ability to score at a high clip and help his teammates find the bottom of the net, Maravich is exactly the type of player most covet on their squad

40. Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki might draw more attention to his attack for his mid-range game than anything else, but the big fella has an intelligent approach to the game.

Rarely does anyone see Nowitzki forcing the issue, and his style of play is a clear indicator that he’s a pure student of the game.

39. Robert Parish

The Celtics have had a fair amount of players on this list, but that’s not by any sort of coincidence.

Parish knew how to play the game the way that it was intended to be played—with force, emphasis and assertion around the rim regardless of who was in his path.

38. Wilt Chamberlain

What couldn’t Wilt Chamberlain do on the basketball court?

His dominance was downright berserk, and his ability to make his teammates better is something that’s vastly under-appreciated about his attack.

In the 1967-68 season, Chamberlain averaged 24.3 points , 23.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game.

Wow.

37. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Simply put, Abdul-Jabbar did everything and anything on the court.

He very rarely made a mistake and was a strong contributor at both ends of the floor.

36. Walt Frazier

Frazier was a well-known scorer during his days in New York, but that wasn’t all he did for the Knicks.

He rebounded, he passed and even shot the ball at a 49 percent clip for his career, so efficiency was clearly at the epicenter of his game.

35. Karl Malone

Malone was nicknamed “The Mailman," and it’s because of his ability to always deliver when his team was expecting something important.

He did far more than just score the ball, as he was a surprisingly good passer for someone of his size.

34. Kevin Garnett

Garnett’s stock may have dropped in recent seasons as he’s battled injuries, but his basketball IQ hasn’t plummeted whatsoever.

He’s a fantastic passer and excellent scorer, and a YouTube search for highlights of KG in his prime should be mandatory for all hoops fans.

33. Clyde Drexler

Drexler was capable of doing it all for the Blazers in his prime, and he was really a lethal contributor in multiple areas.

Everyone knew his athleticism allowed him to score, but his ability to set up his teammates really made him special on the court.

32. James Worthy

James Worthy knew how to bring his best effort on a nightly basis and that is highly evident when comparing performances between campaigns.

Worthy’s ability to produce in any and every category that his team needed from him is precisely why he’s still a legend in Los Angeles.

31. David Robinson

What didn’t Robinson do right throughout his Hall of Fame career? It seemed as if the man could do no wrong.

The definition of the Defensive Player of the Year on a yearly basis, a 20-plus point scorer with regularity and a machine on the glass, all of his achievements are heightened to new levels when one considers his 51.8 career percentage from the floor.

30. Rick Barry

He might be best known for his grandma-style approach at the foul line, but it’s one that obviously worked.

He logged six seasons of better than 90 percent from the stripe, but that wasn’t all he did. Barry was one of the most prolific scorers of his generation.

29. Tiny Archibald

Tiny Archibald is one of the best passing point guards that almost never gets talked about.

The 1972-73 season was the highlight of his career, averaging 34 points and 11.4 assists per game, but Archibald’s ability to run an offense is something that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet.

28. Reggie Miller

It’s a legitimate challenge to find a player that knew what to do with the basketball more so than Reggie Miller.

While he’s undoubtedly a scorer and contributes very marginally in other areas, Miller always knew how to approach his team’s attack and consistently did what was best for the success of his team.

27. Ray Allen

Allen is one of the best shooters of all time, but that’s not solely the reason he’s here.

He knows how to move around the floor, find an open spot and set up the offense to let it flow to perfection.

26. Terrell Brandon

Brandon was one headstrong player, as he really knew how to maximize the efforts of his outputs.

He was a solid passer, a smooth operator and a surprisingly successful scorer considering that he is just 5’11”.

25. Mark Price

Price’s offensive prowess was clear when he shot the ball, but many underrate his passing abilities as well.

The sharpshooter was one of the meanest passers of his era, and he rarely made a mistake with the basketball in his hands.

24. Isiah Thomas

Thomas’ tenure as a player was undoubtedly better than his go-around in the front office by a long shot.

Thomas averaged a double-double in three straight seasons, remained remarkably consistent throughout the course of his career and was an integral contributor for the Detroit Pistons.

23. Dwyane Wade

Wade really doesn’t get the credit that he deserves as one of the most well-rounded players in the game.

A true triple-double threat, Wade contributes in every category across the stat sheet and rarely disappoints with his stellar performance.

22. Julius Erving

Dr. J’s ability to score is well documented, but his rebounding prowess and passing skills were vastly overlooked.

He shot over 50 percent from the floor and was an all-around superstar in every facet of the game and the definition of an icon.

21. Shane Battier

Battier is one of the most intelligent players in the history of the game, and that has really allowed him to flourish throughout his career.

Although he’s lauded for his defensive efforts, Battier provides much more than just the ability to defend for his team.

20. John Havlicek

Havlicek’s performance would’ve been even more appreciated had they kept statistics more readily available when he played.

Despite that, his standout play was noticeable to anyone with a set of functioning eyes and he was one of the most durable players in the history of the game.

19. Bob Cousy

There have been a lot of talented players in Celtics history, but Cousy is at the forefront of that list.

Just how good was Cousy? He led the league in assists from 1952-60 and scored over 1,200 points in each season that he did it.

18. Deron Williams

Deron Williams can really do a myriad of things with the ball in his hands, and his special talent does not come around very often.

He’s got phenomenal court vision and can score 20 or more points at the drop of a dime, making him a nightly double-double threat on any team.

17. Chris Paul

CP3’s brilliance within a game has become commonplace, so it’s not surprising to see many fans gloss him over when discussing the top point guards in the league.

Paul’s career 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is downright amazing, and his ability to facilitate the offense while serving as the leading scorer is really something to appreciate.

16. George Gervin

Gervin is another one of those guys with the ability to contribute in a variety of categories.

With career averages of 25.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, one block and phenomenal percentages from both the field (50.4) and free-throw line (84.1), Gervin didn’t do much that his teammates wouldn’t like.

15. Scottie Pippen

Pippen will never get his proper due because he played in the shadow of Michael Jordan, and despite being named to the NBA’s Top 50 of all time, he still doesn’t get the credit that he deserves.

A defensive monster, an offensive menace and one of the best wingmen in the history of the league.

14. Hakeem Olajuwon

There wouldn’t be a line of current NBA players waiting to work alongside Olajuwon if he wasn’t so adept at using his skills.

The Dream averaged a double-double from 1984-1996, was an absolute machine on the defensive end and was one of the most efficient offensive players on the floor at any time.

13. Gary Payton

“The Glove” really excelled as a defender and knew how to stick to his man, but he didn’t play the right way at just one end of the floor.

Despite the fact that he never averaged double-digit assists, he did a little bit of everything and it was always with 110 percent effort.

12. John Stockton

Stockton’s ability to toss the rock around to his teammates was a thing of beauty to watch on the basketball court.

He was almost always at the top of the leaderboards in the assist category, and his low turnover ratio made his ball-handling skills even more impressive.

11. Tim Duncan

One of the best passing big men that basketball has ever seen, Duncan’s fundamental approach is exactly what makes him a future Hall of Famer.

Between his mistake-free footwork and ability to use the glass, Duncan sees the game much more effectively than most of his size.

10. Steve Nash

Nash’s court vision is second to none when it comes to the ability to scrap a play together out of nothing.

Wheeling and dealing through the lane with relative ease, Nash is able to elevate the level of play of anyone that he plays with.

9. Jerry West

You don’t just get to be the silhouette of the NBA for being an ordinary player.

West could score with the best of ‘em, but perhaps the most underrated part of his game was his ability to pass the ball.

8. Elgin Baylor

When discussing the great players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, it’s really a shame Baylor’s name isn’t more prevalent in the conversation.

Baylor did it all and with remarkable efficiency. His 1961-62 season was unheard of by today’s standards, as he averaged 38.3 points and 18.6 rebounds per game.

7. Bill Russell

When you are able to get 11 championship rings in 13 seasons, it’s pretty easy to tell you’re having an impact on the team.

Russell’s impact wasn’t truly felt in the stat sheet, but the contributions he provided surely were.

6. Oscar Robertson

The Big O is the one and only player to ever average a triple-double in a season, posting insane numbers during the 1961-1962 season of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists.

Frankly, his career achievements are simply eye-popping and he’s undoubtedly in the conversation for top 20 players of all time.

5. Kobe Bryant

One of the smartest players to ever grace the court, Bryant’s ability to seamlessly adapt to the game is truly incredible.

He’s adjusted his game to fit his age at every step of the way, and that’s a major reason that he remains extraordinarily successful.

4. Jason Kidd

One of the best point guards to ever play, Kidd is exactly the type of player that aspiring athletes should model their attack after.

A phenomenal passer with outstanding court vision, Kidd never stops moving on the basketball court, which allows him to open up the floor for himself and teammates with regularity.

3. Larry Bird

Larry Legend got his nickname from his days in Beantown, but his legacy extends well beyond the realm of New England.

His ability to do a little bit of everything in addition to his dynamic shooting skills makes him one of the best ever to play this game.

2. Michael Jordan

Was there a more pure basketball player to ever play the game than His Airness?

He made the game look effortless with his flawless approach, and he was able to contribute in every facet of the attack.

1. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is the best point guard of all-time.

Find me another player that can hold a flame to Magic AND also start at center while thriving in the role and then maybe we’ll have a conversation.